America’s longest continuously operating family-owned and operated winery joins forces with Bronco Wine Company to expand its national footprint
September 21, 2026 (Livermore, CA) — Wente Family Estates and Bronco Wine Company are excited to announce a nationwide partnership. This partnership, which joins two of California’s strongest family-owned legacy companies, stands to strengthen the impact and market presence of both multigenerational wineries.
Wente Family Estates was established in 1883 and continues to be owned and operated by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente Family. The Wente portfolio of wines is grown across some of California’s best Central Coast vineyards, from the Livermore Valley to Arroyo Seco and Monterey. All Wente’s estate vineyards and winery are certified sustainable. In addition to producing quality wines, the Wente family is known for leading hospitality experiences at its beautiful winery and event center in the Livermore Valley, just east of San Francisco.
“Our partnership with Bronco is about building greater commercial strength behind Wente and positioning the brand to win in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Their scale and strength in the field will allow us to broaden our reach, accelerate execution and create new opportunities with our customers,” says Aly Wente, fifth-generation winegrower and Chief Revenue Officer of Wente Family Estates. “As a fifth-generation family-owned winery, our responsibility is to continue evolving to ensure that Wente remains relevant and positioned for growth with future generations of wine consumers.”
While Wente will remain independently owned and operated, this partnership creates an integrated sales organization where Wente’s leadership will work alongside Bronco’s sales organization to enhance their joint support for Wente’s distributors and customers. The combination of Wente’s winemaking heritage, respected brands, and long-standing relationships in the market with Bronco’s national commercial infrastructure will enable greater focus on execution, distributor engagement, and customer development for the Wente brands across the country.
Bronco, established in 1973 by the Franzia family, grows and produces its own portfolio of brands, and acts as a sales broker for several other independent, family-owned California wineries, including Jordan Winery, Lange Twins, and Brilliant Mistake, among others. Bronco is actively evolving its strategy and organization to adapt to the ever-changing wine market.
Casey Tedd, Chief Commercial Officer for Bronco stated, “We are thrilled to represent the Wente portfolio of brands. Our team is looking forward to working with the Wente family and team to share their wines and stories even more broadly. Their 143-year track record of producing outstanding, sustainably grown wines bring with it a tremendous opportunity for growth and we are enthusiastic about the partnership.”
“We are honored to welcome Wente Family Estates to the Bronco portfolio,” said Dom Engels, Chief Executive Officer of Bronco Wine Company. “As we continue to expand our premium wine offerings, we’re intentionally seeking partners whose values, heritage, and pursuit of excellence align with our own. Wente has spent five generations building one of California’s most admired wine brands, and we are honored to represent it on a national scale, consciously growing the brand while preserving its legacy.”
Wente adds, “My family and I are looking forward to working with the Bronco team to enhance our existing relationships with our distributors, customers, and consumers. We are very proud of our wines and our heritage, and we believe this partnership is a great next step on our journey to remain the country’s longest continuously family-owned and operated winery.
Peter Yeung, CEO of Wente Family Estates agrees, noting: “As the wine industry continues to evolve, we believe that strategic collaboration is key. The combination of our beautifully crafted wines and welcoming hospitality offerings with Bronco’s excellent sales organization will enable success for both organizations and our valued industry partners. We look forward to expanding the reach of our wines, and sharing more joy through moments of connection over a bottle of wine.”
About Wente Family Estates
Founded in 1883, Wente Family Estates has been celebrated for its industry-wide contributions to innovation as the longest continuously family-owned and operated winery in the country, now owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family, with women leading the charge from grape to glass. The winery draws from certified sustainable estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding array of fine wines distributed in all 50 states and over 70 countries worldwide. The Wente Family Estates portfolio includes an array of consumer brands, such as Wente Vineyards, Murrieta’s Well, Angels Ink, Ravel & Stitch, Hayes Ranch and more.
In 2010, Wente Family Estates joined the top 10% of California wineries that meet all three tiers within the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing codes and designation for both their estate vineyards and winery. In April 2022, the company won the Wine Institute’s California Green Medal Leader Award. This award is given to one winery each year and recognizes leadership in sustainable practices that span both its vineyards and winery as well as the estate’s socially responsible initiatives that benefit its employees and greater community.
Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards – Wente Family Estates’ flagship estate label – is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations, featuring wine tasting, food and wine experiences, outdoor wine and music events, unparalleled wedding venues and The Course at Wente Vineyards, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Greg Norman.
For more information, visit wentevineyards.com.
About Bronco Wine Company
Founded in 1973, Bronco Wine Co. is a force in the US wine industry. As a family-owned company, its focus on crafting quality wines for every table is evident through hard work, innovation, and willingness to embrace change. These fundamental virtues are the backbone of the company’s success and have laid a solid foundation for generations to come.
